Dating - Roseville, CA

Hello there L.,

I can understand her creating such a tight bond with the man that you are dating. Especially since she doesn't see her father very often. She has a need that he seems to be filling for the moment. We had similar things happen when my step daughter was younger and my husband and I were still dating. I mean, her mother was always very involved with her, but we were hesitant at first to nurture her bond with me.

All I can say is, go with your gutt. If you feel like things are moving too quickly, then maybe add some distance between them and see how things go. If you feel like this is alright, then let it be. Just be sure to put her best interest first. That's all you can do. You can never tell how children will react to different things. All you can do is try to keep her best interest first in your heart.

Good luck!

~C.

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Hi L.,if you two are planning to one day marry don't you think it would be good for you daughter to have that relationship now ?I think by you canceling the getaway that to me is setting your daughter the fare of losing what she see's as a father figure right now.if your boyfriend does not mind if she calls him dad whats the concern? the two of you should still keep letting her know that she has another dad as well. so when she gets older she will start to understand the concept.but I personaly would not be cancelling events that if you were to marry soon affect this child.I would be worried that if you started taking his time away from her that she is going to grow up with the fare that if she loves a man that he is going to leave her every time. thats just my oppion but if you are really concern maybe you can contact a counselor. meet with one that deals with children in this type of situation good luck with your family.

1 mom found this helpful

This is such a touchy subject. I can only give my opinion from my own experiences and I hope you can just take the good from it.

I think that if he is going to be a friend, that you need to not have him over to the house overnight...even if it is on the couch. I think that your relationship needs to be separate from your daughters until you have actually made the decision for him to be a permanent part of both of your lives.

It is so unfair for a child to 'need' so desperately a father and for him to not be there. I know how that goes. By you putting a man figure in that position in your daughter's life, she is going to cling to it immediately. She desires it so badly. You need to protect her from any possible hurt. If you do not know where your relationship with this guy will go, you should not have him be in a relationship with your daughter just yet.

So, when you go out on dates and away for the weekend and such...make sure that you meet him after settling your child in with your babysitter or whatever. Just tell your daughter you are going out with friends.

I don't know how involved he is with your daughter, but you will only be hurting her more if he ends up not being a permanent part of your life.

Good luck! Just remember to protect your daughter at all costs until you are totally ready for a permanent family committment.

Take Care!

1 mom found this helpful

It's perfectly normal that she feels that way and says those kinds of things considering the circumstances with her father. Kids are full of love and want to freely give and receive... they also especially at that age (as you know) speak their feelings and minds freely (which is a good sign that your allowing her to express herself, which is important). Have you talked to your boyfriend about whats going on with her father? Explain to him that it's normal for her to express her feelings given her age... hopefully if he is the great guy you describe him to be he will understand. Be honest with her... tell her that you understand that she misses her daddy and wants another one (acknowledging her feelings is so important) and telling her that you guys are just friends right now and that your checking him out to see if he's a good husband and daddy would be good too... after all it's the truth. Don't cancel your trip... if you two are both on the same page and want to possibly get married in the future, spending time with your daughter is important... you just both should consider her age and feelings and understand when she says those kinds of things, it's nothing to feel uncomfortable about... she likes him! Great for all of you! He should be flattered and you should be glad she likes him!

I agree with your decision to introduce him slowly to your daughter...that was a very smart idea! I remember when my parents got divorced...I was devistated when my dad introduced me to a woman who suddenly moved into our house!

But now that your daughter HAS met him and DOES get along with him...what is having you move slow? You mentioned you wanted to move slow mainly for your daughter's sake...but she seems all good with the idea. Are you scared he'll leave? I think that once you are ready, you should pursue the next step...but only if you're ready - and not for your daughter's sake. It seems she's fine with the way things are heading :) Good luck!

I THINK IT IS WONDERFUL THAT YOUR DAUGHTER FEELS THE WAY SHE DOES. IT MAKES HER FEEL GOOD AND LOVED (OR LIKED A LOT) AND THAT IS SOOOOO NICE BECAUSE OF THE WAY HER BIOLOGICAL FATHER TREATS HER. YOU ARE PROBABLY MORE CONCERNED THAT IF YOU TWO BREAK UP SHE WILL BE HEART BROKEN AS WELL??

I know people don't want to hear this, but I believe that when you have children, and you are divorced or split up, dating or marriage is out of the question until they are grown. Children should not have to deal with the drama of dating relationships and be at risk for getting hurt with people coming in and out of their lives. It did much damage to me having both of my parents bringing people they were dating around. I have a very strained relationship with my parents now because of it. I really believe I would have grown up feeling much more happy and secure if my parents would have waited til I was on my own before they started looking for somebody. Your daughter may be happy now having this guy around, but what happens in a few years when she starts to understand that this man is not her father and she starts to challenge that. Or what if her father decides to be a part of her life in the future and she resents the other man for trying to take that place. She may even blame you for him leaving her if you take him out her life. And if you have children with this man she will be hurt that they have their true father around and she never did. You are risking building much anger and resentment in your daughter by introducing her to other men. She may not grow up angry or hurt, but is it worth it? I'm sorry if this offends you, but I have been in your daughters shoes and I believe you are better off making her the focus and waiting til she is grown to start dating. It will give your little one a better chance of growing up happy and secure and to have a better relationship with you.

L., This sort of thing has happened with my daughter and grandaughter who is now 6. My daugter has been dating the same man for about 3 years. Their relationship has gone slowly and it was several months before he stayed overnight. From the beginning Destini has told her daughter that he is a friend and even tho they have discussed marriage they have not included her in the idea that that is a possibility because at this point it is only a possibility. When Monet makes statements or asks questions, my daughter answers keeping in mind Monet's age and ability to understand. And she tells her it's OK to wish for something but that doesn't make it so.

Monet, sometimes cries because she doesn't have a daddy that she can see. (Her brother's father has him overnight 2 nights a week but only includes Monet in a small way. At the time of the divorce he insisted, even to Monet, that he was no longer her daddy.) When she cries I hold her and am sympathetic, acknowledging her feelings and allowing her to express them. After awhile I introduce a diversion such as putting in a movie or picking up a book or toy and Monet is OK. Sometimes we talk about her Daddy. The focus is on her, her feelings, who her Daddy is, and the fact that he lives far away. I never say anything negative about her daddy. I try to be neutral. I acknowledge how she feels but never suggest how her father might feel except that he loves her. I think that he does. I think he doesn't know how to show his love but I don't say that at this age.

These feelings are painful for all of us but I think it's important to acknowledge them when they come up and to allow them to be expressed. I also think it's important to emphasize that you and your boyfriend are friends. And since your daughter's father is sometimes around to talk about how he is her father. Say that it would be great if you had a new family but we're not that family now. Not even suggest that as a possibility until you know for sure that it is. It's important to clarify the facts some of the time but it's helpful if the focus is on how we're feeling and what do we do with those feelings. For example: sometimes we cry, sometimes we distract ourselves but we always admit, perhaps only to ourselves, how we feel and what we'd like but can't have right now.

My granddaughter wants to have a family like "everyone else." Reality is that a large number of kids do not have that family. As a single parent, I adopted my daughter when she was 6 and so I emphasized the different kinds of families with her and she and I have continued that emphasis with my granddaugter. I think that helps.

Both my daughter and I have been concerned about the effect on Monet of her boyfriend sleeping in the same bed. I've been concerned that she will think it's OK to sleep with anyone that she's dating. Over time we have become more comfortable with the idea that we'll have to deal with that issue when Monet brings it up. In my day, one did not sleep with someone without being married but once I decided to sleep with a man before I married him I realized that doing so without marriage is more of the norm now. Monet will be faced with that complicated issue from different directions. I will give her information based on her age and what she's able to understand. At 6, where one sleeps and it's implication is of no importance to her.

As to becoming too attached too quickly you cannot prevent that once he's in your lives. It is good that you've waited to introduce him to her. You can perhaps moderate her attachment by reminding her that he is not her daddy from time to time and to not let her call him daddy. Be casual. Emphasize friendship and what that involves. Talk about friends in contexts other than hers and your relationship with him.

She will become too attached because she misses having a daddy and because she's young and doesn't understand all the implications of attachment. She can't protect herself. You can't prevent the pain that she'll feel if your boyfriend leaves your lives. You can try to make the possibility of pain be less by being open to discussing realities and feelings.

Recently I've been trying to think of ways to get more loving relationships into my granddaughter's life so that she isn't as focused on what she doesn't have. I'm wanting broaden her awareness of different kinds of love and giving her opportunities to feel more love. She's going to stay overnight with one of my married cousins from time to time. I've asked my daugter's father to take her on outings but he's chosen not to do that. My grandson's grandparents are going to have her visit without her brother from time to time.

Here is another approach. My boyfriend at the time I adopted Destini became her pops. He called her his kid. We didn't stay together but he is still her dad and she is his kid in many ways. This was easy because my daughter does not know her birth father and I didn't date after breaking up with her father substitue and we were able to eventually build a friendship.

Perhaps you could give your boyfriend a sort of name like pops and she could be his favorite kid, still acknowleding that she has a birth father. Perhaps she could call him a special name that's not even related to being a father. They are developing a special relationship and perhaps she's wanting a way to verbally acknowledge that.

I hope that this helps. M.

Later. I've just read the new responses and I agree that if you're as certain as you can reasonably be that you're going to marry that it is OK for her to call him daddy. You do have to trust your gut feeling about that.

She would then have 2 daddies. The way that I handled having 2 of someone in the relationship is to have Daddy (his name) and Daddy (his name). Usually the only time we use the first name is when there is the possibility of confusion over who we're talking about.

And I definately agree that you cannot go back and start over by cancelling your trip or reducing time together with your daughter once she has come to expect that. It's important to protect her from as much loss as possible as well as to help her deal with loss when it happens.

And I would add that if you're uncomfortable with your daughter's response or you feel especially anxious about how to handle this, that professional counseling, even just a session or two, would be helpful.

I'm actually in a similar situation. My four year old daughter doesn't see her dad that much anymore, and I have a man in my life of almost two years and expecting a baby with him. His name is Steve and my daughter absolutely loves him. She includes him in family portraits instead of her dad, but she does still love her dad though.

Anyway, kids who have an absent father are going to look for a replacement, and that can be alarming, and if they they don't approve of the "new" daddy, they start acting up. I never asked Steve to replace her dad, but he stepped up to the plate voluntarily. In your case, don't rush into anything because your daughter wants you too, but reassure her like you have been that everybody is friends with everybody. Also, even though her father doesn't have much to do with her, keep telling her that her daddy really does love her very much. She needs to know that there is a daddy out there, but he just doesn't come around anymore and it's not her fault.

Okay, now I'm rambling on, but I've been through divorce and know what it feels like being that kid and it's such a delicate subject. Everyone is different and sees things differently as well. Good luck and hope things work out for all of you.

Hi L.,

First off, I just want to say that I can tell you are a wonderful mom because you waited so long to introduce your daughter and your boyfriend. That tells me that you have her best interests at heart, and you truly are not "rushing" things. I do not believe that if you are divorced, you should wait until your children are grown to date, and possibly marry. I believe families are meant to function best with a mom and a dad. It sounds like your daughter is really missing her father, and so she has latched onto your boyfriend because he fills that void she has from the absence of her biological father. I think that it's great they've hit it off so well. I'm just wondering why you seem so hesitant. If you love him, and he loves you, take the plunge!!!! People always say "I want to live together for awhile to make sure we can make it work." But I believe that if you really love your partner, you will make it work. Sure, it's normal to have doubts and fears, but deep down, I think we all know if our own relationships are going to be long-term or not. So if you really know in your heart that this is going to work, marry him and marry him quick! Your daughter needs a constant daddy, and he sounds like the perfect fit! Take care,

K.

LET HER KNOW HE IS YOUR WEEKEND BUDDY (YOUR BEST FREIND THEY KNOW WHAT THAT IS). CONTINUE DOING THE FUN THINGS AND JUST KEEP TELLING HER THAT. DONT BACK OFF THAT WOULD ONLY CONFUSE HER. IF SHE KEEPS PUSHING THE IDEA OF WANTING TO BE A HAPPY FAMILY JUST TELL HER TO BE PATIENT. THEY KNOW WHAT THAT WORD MEANS. KEEP TELLING HER HE IS YOUR WEEKEND BUDDY YOUR BEST FRIEND AND TELL HER HER IS HER BEST FREIND AS WELL. MY GIRL FRIEND WAS IN THE SAME SITUATION AND SHE DID THIS AND IT WORKS.

I think that if your daughter's father is not in the picture as much as he should be and you, the new bf and the daughter is all comfortable with him being the father figure I don't see anything wrong with it. Especially since you are planning on having a future with him. I undersatand your fear but kids are very susceptable to things like that and I think you should just go with it. I have been there and understand what you are going through. I hope this helps!!

I think that the 2 of you adults should sit down and talk about what he wants becuase i know how hard it is to be a single mom and when you hit it off and the kids love him you are kinda in a boat like what does he want? am I rushing things? is he gonna run? am I presuring him with my daughter's feelings? let him know that this relationship(at this point) is mostly up to him. wether you and him will move in together or not is basically up to him. I mean if you feel comfertable enough to introduce him to your kid then he must be a real catch and for you to want to let him go is probably out of the question. so tell him that you don't want her actions to seem like presure. you want to know what he sees happening between the 2 of you and when he wants to make the next step(moving in) let him know that kids get attatched. I have my brother's friend sleeping on my couch and every morning they run into the living room and wake him up to give him a hug good bye and say i love you. but only a real man would know that children get attatched and it's not always easy to let go of them if something happens but thats not his place to clean up the feelings after a relationship has gone sour. it's yours because you are mommy. let him know that he needs to be with you and love you not your kid. becuase kids will love any good person. I'm babaling. do you understand what I'm trying to say? I lost myself. LOL

L.,
Im sure my advice will be just a repeat of what others have told you. I think its wonderful that you waited a little whicle before introducing this man to your daughter. I can relate to that situation completely. However, you are definatly not rushing into anything. Your daughter knows what makes her comfortable and uncomfortable. If this man gives her a comfortable feeling, you should encourage that. If you can see a long term relationship with this man, then its great that your daughter likes him. She may be feeling a little neglected due to the fact that her real father is not around much for her. She obviously wants that male companionship on some level. In my own opinion, keeping distance between her and this man might make her feel like there is a problem with her and that he doesnt want her around. She may be the child but in this situation, it might be best to just let her guide you and your "perfect little family". Good luck!
Sincerely,
K.